Janina Kuzma

Nadia Samer

1 of 9

Janina Kuzma

New Zealand freeskier Janina Kuzma has competed mainly in big-mountain contests like the Freeride World Tour in recent years. But in 2014, she hopes to compete in ski halfpipe at the sport's Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia.

New Zealand freeskier Janina Kuzma has competed mainly in big-mountain contests like the Freeride World Tour in recent years. But in 2014, she hopes to compete in ski halfpipe at the sport's Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia.

J. Bernard/Freeride World Tour

2 of 9

Pipe Dreams

Kuzma dropped off the Freeride World Tour after the 2012 season and went in pursuit of World Cup points in halfpipe. "It was a hard decision, especially since I was qualified for this past year on the FWT," said Kuzma.

Kuzma dropped off the Freeride World Tour after the 2012 season and went in pursuit of World Cup points in halfpipe. "It was a hard decision, especially since I was qualified for this past year on the FWT," said Kuzma.

Nadia Samer

3 of 9

On the Glacier

Kuzma, photographed recently while training halfpipe on the Blackcomb Glacier, is heading to Cardrona, New Zealand, in August for the World Cup's season kickoff.

Kuzma, photographed recently while training halfpipe on the Blackcomb Glacier, is heading to Cardrona, New Zealand, in August for the World Cup's season kickoff.

Camilla Stoddart

4 of 9

NZ Raised

She was born in Australia, but Kuzma grew up in New Zealand and now calls the mountain town of Wanaka home.

She was born in Australia, but Kuzma grew up in New Zealand and now calls the mountain town of Wanaka home.

Nadia Samer

5 of 9

Road to the Olympics

Kuzma finished 11th overall on the World Cup circuit this year, effectively clearing her way to represent New Zealand in Sochi.

Kuzma finished 11th overall on the World Cup circuit this year, effectively clearing her way to represent New Zealand in Sochi.

Nadia Samer

6 of 9

In the Background

"My background in skiing is definitely big mountain, but I think it has helped me in the pipe," Kuzma says.

"My background in skiing is definitely big mountain, but I think it has helped me in the pipe," Kuzma says.

Freeride World Tour

7 of 9

Total Strength

"Janina has an outstanding technical level and mental aspect and is very strong physically," says Jean-Claude Pedrolini, the international freeski team manager for Vlkl, one of Kuzma's sponsors.

"Janina has an outstanding technical level and mental aspect and is very strong physically," says Jean-Claude Pedrolini, the international freeski team manager for Vlkl, one of Kuzma's sponsors.

Nadia Samer

8 of 9

Dual Titles

Kuzma has always shown great versatility in her skiing. In 2009, she became the first women to win both the big mountain and the halfpipe title at the New Zealand Freeski Open.

Kuzma has always shown great versatility in her skiing. In 2009, she became the first women to win both the big mountain and the halfpipe title at the New Zealand Freeski Open.

Camilla Stoddart

9 of 9

Back to Big Lines

Kuzma says she hopes to return to big mountain freeskiing competitions after the Olympics. "Maybe I can put some of the tricks I learned in the pipe in a big mountain contest," she says.

Kuzma says she hopes to return to big mountain freeskiing competitions after the Olympics. "Maybe I can put some of the tricks I learned in the pipe in a big mountain contest," she says.